Police Psych Linked To Anti-Gay Group

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Police Psych Linked To Anti-Gay Group

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

August 29, 2006 - 7:00 pm ET

(Minneapolis, Minnesota) Minneapolis interim police chief Tim Dolan has ordered an inquiry into the use by his force of a psychologist tied to a group that opposes LGBT civil rights, gay marriage and endorses the so-called ex-gay movement.

Michael A. Campion has been used by the police department for more than a year to screen prospective police officers. Campion also has worked for departments in more than 100 cities over the past 30 years. He is based in Champaign, Illinois.

His involvement with the Illinois Family Institute was brought to Dolan's attention at a meeting last week with the Police Community Relations Council when it was learned that Campion had made negative comments about single parents.

The information came to the Council from several people who had been refused jobs with the department. Whether any of those people are gay was not not disclosed.

As part of the screening process Campion conducted psychological tests which he developed under a grant from U. S. Department of Justice.

The Illinois Family Institute is the main backer of a group that is in federal court trying to get a referendum to push the legislature to set in motion a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. (story)

Although some of Capion's comments to prospective officers "disturbed" members of the Council, Chief Dolan said there was nothing specific to indicate he was biased in his testing. Nevertheless he ordered an independent inquiry and said Capion would not be used until the inquiry finished its work.

In 2003 nine people who were denied jobs with the Springfield, Ill., Fire Department sued the city claiming they were unfairly disqualified by either background checks or Campion's psychological evaluation.

A judge dismissed the suit, but Springfield City Council declined renew to Campion's contract.

It is not clear what relationship Campion currently has with the Family Institute but three years ago he was listed as a board member. The organization's executive director denounced the suspension of Campion in Minneapolis.

"Does this mean that any person with a Christian or moral belief system cannot work for the city of Minneapolis?" said David Smith. "This case has all the markings of blatant anti-Christian discrimination and bigotry. People of faith should follow it carefully, because they could be next."

©365Gay.com 2006

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